Author: Breffni Banks

For years now The Deans have been recording their music themselves, in some of the most inhospitable of acoustic environments; the abandoned second floor of an old French hotel, a dilapidated portacabin in the west of Ireland, bedrooms of madhouses and basement studios in London, coupled with the most basic of recording equipment; borrowed studio microphones and preamps, homemade vocal booths fashioned from a fortress of hotel mattresses, and a spiral staircase echo chamber.

This time however, the band feel their latest material merits a fancy pants, pro studio sound.  That’s why this past April they journeyed to Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago to record their new record with legendary engineer/producer Steve Albini @ Electrical Audio studios, Chicago. Steve Albini has recorded some of their favourite bands – Nirvana, Pixies, The Stooges.

They now require funding for vinyl and digital mastering at the world renowned Abbey Road Studios, London – as well as funding for vinyl and CD duplication. If you’re a vinyl lover then you’ll be excited to know that this will also be the first time the band will put out a release on vinyl.

Just like The Deans homemade method of making music, they rely on their home base of fans, friends and supporters to help fund these types of projects, through social media, live shows, and word-of-mouth.

Each step of the project has and will be filmed for a documentary that the band plan to releasing along with the record. The crowdfunding for the project is live on Kickstarter until June 26th.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1359177706/the-deans-new-ep-abbey-road-mastering-fabrication/description

www.facebook.com/thedeans
www.breakingtunes.com/thedeans
www.youtube.com/thedeansvids
www.thedeans.ie

The Blizzards came back with a bang in 2016 with airwave dominating tracks ‘Drop Down The Anchor’, ‘Perfect on Paper’ and ‘Show Me The Science’. Now, the Blizzards are are excited to announce their first studio album in a decade. The album, due in Autumn 2018, will be compiled entirely of previously unreleased tracks from the Mullingar band.

‘Love Me Later‘ is the first single from the upcoming full-length and is available across all digital platforms from Friday 8 June. A pop anthem featuring Dublin rapper Paul Alwright, ‘Love Me Later‘ is a collaboration unlike anything The Blizzards have done before. Frontman Niall Breslin says ‘the song is about how love isn’t something you can pick and choose on any given day. You have to love someone at their worst if you want to love them at their best“.

The album was recorded between the legendary Grouse Lodge recording studio and Dublin’s very own Camden Recording Studios, and was produced by Philip Magee, the usual suspect behind The Blizzard‘s most recent hits.

‘Love Me Later’  is out everywhere on June 8, 2018.

New album coming in Autumn 2018.

Live Dates:
June 7 – Irish Post Music Awards
June 23 – Sea Sessions
August 3 – Indiependence

www.theblizzards.ie
www.twitter.com/theblizzards
www.facebook.com/theblizzardsIE
www.instagram.com/theblizzardsIE

Ahead of a series of Irish, UK and European live dates Waterford’s Marc O’Reilly proudly releases ‘Solitary Ease’  The third cut from his much lauded 4th Lp ‘L’etre Politique’ (Political Being).

‘L’etre Politique’ sees Marc deliver his strongest album to date and is a wonderful collection of contemporary rock tracks which showcase his unique voice and exceptional guitar playing.

The album was recorded, mixed and co-produced by Christian Best.

‘L’etre Politique’ meaning ‘political being’ is as it’s title suggests, a political commentary. The album was written over a period of 3 months from Jan to March 2017 and recorded in two weeks in the summer of 2017. It deals with the politics of human interactions, from one on one friendships to more broader global themes of capitalism, war and globalisation. It offers an introspective look on universal issues-political beings, being political and the politics of being.

Marc O’Reilly has released 3 previous albums, ‘My Friend Marx’, ‘Human Herdings’ and ‘Morality Mortality’ and has enjoyed some recent international success with his track ‘Bleed’ streamed over 2 million times on Spotify and featured on the soundtrack of the German movie ‘Whatever Happens‘. His track ‘Healer’ was also recently used in the US CBS TV series ‘Salvation’.

Marc is famed for his electrifying live performances and has appeared at many major European Festivals including, Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, The Great Escape, Eurosonic, Reeperbahn etc

Forthcoming Live Dates.

Fri 1 Jun – Vantastival, Beaulieu, Ireland
Sun 17 Jun – Doolin Folk Festival, Doolin, Ireland
Fri 22 Jun – Black Deer, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK
Sun 24 Jun – Sea Sessions @ Bundoran Beach, Donegal, Ireland
Sun 8 Jul – Groove Festival, Bray, Ireland
Sun 5 Aug – Indiependence, Mitchelstown, Ireland
Sat 22 Sep – Clonakility Guitar Festival, Clonakility, Ireland
Thu 27 Sep – Coughlans, Cork, Ireland
Fri 28 Sep – Roisin Dubh, Galway, Ireland
Sat 29 Sep – Nelliefreds, Dingle, Ireland
Thu 11 Oct – Whelans, Dublin, Ireland
Fri 12 Oct – The Crescent, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Sat 13 Oct – Mondriaan Jazz, Den Haag, Netherlands
Tue 23 Oct – Philharmonic, Liverpool, UK
Wed 24 Oct – Gullivers, Manchester, UK
Thu 25 Oct – Paper Dress Vintage, London, UK
Fri 26 Oct – The Bodega, Nottingham, UK
Sat 27 Oct – Crofters Rights, Bristol, UK

Website  Facebook  Twitter

Photo: Roger Woolman

Hot on the heels of their biggest headline gig to date, Stolen City are now preparing for their take-over of the Irish music scene with the release of their latest single, ‘Let Her Go.’

The upbeat, indie-rock tune will be available across the Dublin-based band’s social media platforms, as well as their Spotify, on June 22nd.

Popular music venue Drop Dead Twice saw fans gather to support the trio on May 19th and the Sold Out Show has heightened the excitement surrounding the release.

The band are hoping the song, written by themselves and produced by Michael Brady, will become a summer anthem for their loyal following – as well as gain them some new support.

Lead-singer Sean McGrath has said of the song: ‘Let Her Go is definitely one of our favourites to play live. It really gets the crowd involved and gets them all dancing, which we love to see.’

‘We’re just really excited for the release.’

This is the second single to be released by the group this year, with video for the single ‘Last Night’ receiving over 20,0000 views via Facebook in early January.

Stolen City are a three-piece Dublin based band, comprised of David McCabe, Sean McGrath and Ian Bailey. The band have gigged across Ireland, bringing their acoustic rock and original song-writing everywhere from the main stage in Whelan’s to small family events. An up-and- coming band and definitely one to watch, the three musicians have a busy 2018 ahead of them as they look forward to more single releases, headlining gigs and further recording.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficalStolenCity/

Dublin shoegaze band, Galants, release new single ‘In Vain’ via Zen Ten Records on 1st June 2018.

The track is the first to be taken from forthcoming EP ‘Follow’, set for release in the Autumn.  It was partly self-recorded in an attic on the northside of Dublin City and subsequently produced by Dan Doherty of Darklands Audio.  The song takes a sonic cue from from Ride and The Jesus & Mary Chain and is informed by themes of social contradiction, disparity and introspection, musing on the importance of remembering what really matters; family, friends and the people we love.

Upcoming Live Dates:

29 June 2018 – The Underground, Dublin

21 July 2018 – Metalman Bar, Waterford

Social Media:

Facebook:        http://facebook.com/galantsband

Twitter:              http://twitter.com/heygalants

‘A Prayer to St. Anthony’ is the first song from the album ‘News from the Old Country’ by Padraig Stevens, with Leo Moran.

The record features the sweet soaring vocals of The Whileaways who bring a celestial flavor to the opening rendition of the prayer.

‘A Prayer to St. Anthony’ celebrates the old folk belief that lost or mislaid items can be found by saying a prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua. It is quite common for money to be donated to Saint Anthony once the lost item has been found.

Padraig Stevens’ songs have been recorded by The Saw Doctors, Christy Moore, Matt Keane, Eleanor Shanley, Michael English and Stuart Moyles.

Padraig and Leo Moran have been working together on musical projects since the Blaze X days of 1980/81, in The Saw Doctors, The Folk Footballers and The Shambles, and have been playing concerts as a duo since Febuary 2017.

The album ‘News from the Old Country’was recorded at Sun Street Studio in Tuam, features 14 original songs and will be available on CD and all digital platforms in June 2018.

Padraig Stevens and Leo Moran will play a concert to officially launch the single ‘A Prayer to St. Anthony’

Fri 22nd June  Galway, Headword, Campbell’s Tavern

The fourth single to be releaed by independent artist, Aaron J, Burke ‘Count On It’ has just been released, accompanied by a lyric video. The Kildare native has been very busy the past two years, self releasing three singles, one of which featured heavy national airplay on radio stations such as Radio Na Life and Dublin South FM.

‘Count On It’ features a full band and a change of sound listeners might not be used to from the usual soft and acoustic sounds offered by Aaron, bringing more of a rock n’ roll feel featuring electric guitar and stomping drums and bass.

@aaronjburkemuso

Emma Langford was on the verge of throwing in the towel, before taking the shower that inspired ‘Tug O’ War’ – a track which launched her unexpectedly into the hearts and minds of strangers around the world.

‘Tug O’ War’ was created on the 17th of February in 2016 in a frenzied burst of inspiration, in response to a feeling of being “not good enough”.

The track featured in 2016 on Emma Langford’s debut self-titled EP.

This summer, ‘Tug O’ War’ will be re-released as a single, giving the tune once again its own chance to shine.

The track’s release in late May coincides with beginning of the artist’s Irish and European tour. Langford will also be releasing a remix of the track by Northern electronic artist Arvo Party, and a music video to accompany the single is currently in the works.

“I’m looking forward to sending ‘Tug O’ War’ out into the world again – this song for me is a constant reminder of how far I’ve come, and why I’m in the music business, to share stories and connect with people.”

Composed to the hum of an electric shower, arranged with a bust-up guitar and a loop pedal, and written as a stream-of-thought piece, ‘Tug O’ War’ is a gospel-infused folk song that speaks to the frustration, anxiety, self-doubt and ennui that strikes when a young artist is burning the candle at both ends just to try and catch a break.

Langford explains “I wasn’t in regular work at the time, I was finding it hard to leave the house. It doesn’t affect me as much these days, but I still get anxious a lot, and like any creative person I spend a lot of my time doubting myself, my creative choices, and, y’know, my life-choices!”

“The song is about not letting the little voice of anxiety inside your head stop you from brazenly going forth and reaching your potential.”

In Spring 2016 she first released ‘Tug O’ War’ on a 6-track EP which featured Karl Nesbitt, Peter Hanagan and Clint Fitzgerald.

She went on in 2017 to re-imagine ‘Tug O’ War’ with a full band on “Quiet Giant”, her debut album produced by Grammy-nominated duo Chris O’Brien and Graham Murphy of the Production Suite in Dublin.

Following its release, the album was first showcased at the Irish Folk Festival tour in Germany and Switzerland in October/November 2017.

Emma is currently touring Ireland, the UK, and much of Europe, as well as celebrating the limited edition release of Quiet Giant on 12” vinyl, which will be available for purchase from her online store on Bandcamp, at gigs, and in-store exclusively at Steamboat Music in her hometown of Limerick city. Find out more about Emma Langford and her upcoming tour dates at www.emmalangfordmusic.com

Twitter: @ELangfordMusic
Facebook: /emmalangfordmusic

Ambi-Groove trio Dreaming of Jupiter are set to release their new upbeat summer anthem by the name of ‘Right Kind of Love’ on May 25^th, 2018.

‘Right Kind of Love’ takes you on a journey of embracing positive energy, excitement, anticipation, letting go and enjoying yourself, living in the thrill of the unknown. With its energetic groove, infectious hook and memorable chorus that shouts ‘Summertime is here!’, this new release promises to be the club and festival-goers right cup of tea for the season!

The track written by the band, and was co-produced by Dreaming Of Jupiter and Diffusion Lab based in Dublin City. ‘Right Kind of Love’, while maintaining the band’s trademark atmospheric sound, adds some uptempo diversity to their sophisticated fusion of Electropop, Funk, RnB and Trip Hop.

The strong interest and anticipation for DOJ’s forthcoming release amongst the music industry is evidenced by the fact that Nialler9, critically acclaimed as the most-read Irish music blog, will have the exclusive distribution rights on the single, while the band have also been added to the line-up of a number of prominent festivals across Ireland and the UK to showcase the new release.

Festivals include:

· 03.06. 18 Vantastival – Drogheda, Ireland
· 03.06. 18 Bloom in the Park – Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland
. 05.06.18  Crow Club, Crowbar – Dublin, Ireland
· 24.06. 18 Body and Soul – Dundalk, Ireland
· 28.07.18 Sunflower Festival – Hillsborough, UK
· 11.08.18 The Secret Village Festival – Ballaghaderreen, Ireland

Having just returned from their live show organized by YouBloom Connect to present the Irish Music Scene at the world famous ‘MuzikMesse’ in Frankfurt Germany, Dreaming of Jupiter are looking ahead of what looks like a very busy summer to showcase their uniquely developed sound as well as deliver huge amount of surprises to the highly enthused audience at all up-coming festivals across the country.

‘Right Kind of Love’will be available on Apple Music, Spotify and Soundcloud

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www.instagram.com/dreamingofjupiter